Well that was unexpected. If there was one free agent that I thought had no chance of coming back, it was Pascal Dupuis. But once again, I was proven wrong when just before midnight it was announced that Dupuis was re-signed to a four year contract worth $15 million.

There were a few reasons why I thought there was no way the Pens would bring Dupuis back. The first reason is because I knew someone was going to give him four years. Didn’t think that someone would be the Penguins. I also figured someone would give him $16 million. Which it’s quite possible that was out there. It’s also quite possible that he took a million dollars less to stay here.

It also wouldn’t totally shock me if Sidney Crosby had something to do with this decision. The combination of Crosby and Dupuis along with Chris Kunitz has been one of the best lines in hockey. Crosby and Dupuis always have had a connection. If it came out that Crosby lobbied for this, it wouldn’t shock me one bit.

Ray Shero really must be banking on the salary cap rising significantly after this season. Everything indicates that it will but it’s not written in stone. As far as this coming season goes, their backs are already somewhat against the cap. And they’re also still in negotiations with Matt Cooke and Craig Adams. I also don’t believe either one of them will be re-signed which means both contracts will likely get announced tomorrow.

I also think that it’s likely that Marc-Andre Fleury gets traded at some point this summer. I felt like this was going to happen anyway but I think it’s even more likely now.

The deal was announced on the same day as the Kris Letang extension. I already jumped the gun and made a post about that signing. I’m glad it ended up going through so I didn’t look like a dick. I do that enough on my own.